OV-10M (SLEP mod.) - Ex-RTAF, Filipino modernization

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Introducing

North American Rockwell
OV-10M ‘Bronco’
Service Life Extension Program Modification
Broncos with Guided Bombs

North American Rockwell OV-10M armed with GBU-12 Paveway II Bombs through Raytheon’s WiPak technology

OVERVIEW

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In 2003, as part of a deal with the Royal Thai Airforce, the Philippine Air Force received several OV-10Cs as part of parts swap program for F-5A/B. A year after that in 2004, the PAF conducted a Service Life Extension Program on its OV-10 fleet through a joint venture won by Marsh Aviation and Aeromart with them overhauling and modifying the engines to fit Hertzwell 4-bladed propellors which should enhance overall flight performance, strengthening the airframes, and then most importantly, became prototype test-beds for then confidential Raytheon’s Wireless Paveway Avionics Kit Technology that allowed the airframe to carry GBU-12 & GBU-49 Paveway II dual mode GPS/INS and Laser Guided Bombs.

Terrorist Camp after the OV-10 strike

OV-10M with a Paveway II PGM during live fire tests presumably around November 2010 when the PAF first received its Paveway II Avionics Kits

In 2012, these smart bombs were first used in anger against suspected Abu-Sayaff terrorist camps killing 2 senior leaders in Sulu. The Philippine government had to deny the use of the Paveway II PGMs at that time since it was still a confidential weapon but according to wikileaks and Rappler reports, the US had given these Paveway II PGMs and trained the PAF since 2010.

With stocks running low, the PAF was forced to reinstall the original 3-bladed propellors of this OV-10M

In 2017, the OV-10s of the 15th Strike Wing participated in Close Air Support Missions over the Siege of Marawi. However by this time, the OV-10s of the Philippine Air Force had been in frontline service for over a decade straight so spare parts were running low - so the Philippine Air Force resorted to refitting the original 3-bladed propellors after the Hertzwell 4-bladed propellors gave out. To this day, the 15th Strike Wing operates the type but is expected to be soon replaced by the A-29 Super Tucano in its CAS/COIN roles.

You can easily identify an OV-10M with its 4-bladed propellors and dark black/grey paint scheme with the shark nose. OV-10A/Cs in the PAF service were repainted in green camo scheme with the RTAF variant still sporting the white stallion markings.

SPECIFICATIONS

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OV-10A Technical Drawing

15th Strike Wing OV-10M with bombs without the Paveway II Avionics Kit

Characteristic	Details
Type	Two-seat Light attack/COIN/FAC/Surveillance
Wing span	12.5 m (40’ 10")
Length, overall	12.6 m (41’ 7")
Height, overall	4.62 m (15’ 2")
Weight, empty	[normal] 4,494 kg (9,908 lb); [overload weight] 6,552 kg (14,444 lb)
Maximum payload	6,552 kg (14,444 lb)
Max speed	632 kph (341 knts; 393 mph))
Propulsion	Two modified 715 shp Honeywell/Garett AiResearch T76-G-416/417 counter-rotating turboprop engines, driving a three-blade propeller with spinner, uprated to a four-blade Hartzell/Marsh Aviation aluminum alloy propeller with spinner, with improved gearboxes. Can use automotive or hi-octane fuel in place of Jet-A1 with a slight degradation of power. Five self-sealing fuel tanks in wing, 954 liter (252 gallon) capacity. Centerline 568, 871, or 1,136 liter (150, 230 or 300 gallon) external tank optionally available.
Armament
	* Four fixed sponson-mounted forward-firing 7.62 mm machine-guns with 2,000 rounds
	* Four external weapon attachment points under short sponsons, for up to 1,000 kg (2,400 lb) of rockets, bombs, etc.
	* Fifth point, capacity 540 kg (1,200 lb), under center fuselage, which also has the capability of carrying either a 12.7mm or 20 mm gun pod (probably a GPU-2A single gun pod) or a 568, 871 or 1,136 liter (150, 230 or 300 gallon) external fuel tank
	* GBU-12 Paveway II
	* GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II
	* 7 x 70 mm rocket launchers
	* 130 mm Zuni rocket launchers in sponsons
	* AFM-M3 81 mm CBU
	* Dumb bombs from 50kg - 750kg
	* AIM-9B Sidewinder (With the use of a wing pylon kit - never fitted in Philippine Air Force Service)

Note: The OV-10M has never been fitted with a FLIR camera (afaik) and could not fit one as it will have to need the extended nose similar to the OV-10D to fit one. What this means is that the bombs can only be guided through GPS/INS then LSD will probably need to be buddy lased. In gameplay terms, this would simply function similar to how arcade bombing or JDAMs work (just without the FLIR).

IN-GAME

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The OV-10M will be slow and vulnerable at higher BRs where you would expect modern guided weaponry. To compensate for this, either we lower it in BR to at least 6.7 - 7.7 or lower its spawn point cost similar to choppers.

This is a uniquely Filipino modernization, as such I personally think it should be placed where Filipino vehicles would appear. With the airframes being ex-RTAF OV-10Cs, it makes sense that it could be placed in a tree where the OV-10C might make an appearance, either as a premium or sidegrade.

MORE PHOTOS

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OV-10M without the 4-bladed props and GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II PGM

OV-10M slightly different pilot’s cockpit (GPS & assumably Paveway II avionics) and tandem cockpit (which appears to be missing its target designator screen or something)

500 lb. bomb being fitted with Paveway II kit

Taken from a Philippine Inquirer Infographic

OV-10M Dive Bombing with Dumb Bombs in the 2017 Siege of Marawi

SOURCES

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15SW OV-10A/C
AFP Materiel Technical Specification Archives Main
OV-10 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) Project of the Philippine Air Force - Philippine Defense Resource
Waarschuwing voor gevoelige content
OV-10G+ Combat Dragon II Broncos & Spare Parts for Transfer to the Philippine Air Force ~ MaxDefense Philippines
As Philippine Air Force moves away from the OV-10 Bronco as CAS Aircraft, What's Next? ~ MaxDefense Philippines
Russian Precision Guided Munitions and the Philippine Military Airstrikes in Marawi City - Pitz Defense Analysis
Flashback: AFP modernization – 2003 to 2006 – Philippine Defense Today (Adroth.ph)
PAF upgrades for insurgent ops | Aviation International News
US smart bombs used in Sulu attack
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OV-10 Bronco Beraksi di Marawi, Ingatkan Kenangan Pada Si “Kuda Liar” Pelibas GPK
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco | Military Wiki | Fandom